Sermon On Redemption

Michael Bakari Jordan, an American actor, producer and director once remarked: “I think redemption is about righting a wrong, and in that pursuit, it's about trying. You can stumble, you can make mistakes, but it's about trying to do the right thing.” Ephesians 1:7 confirms: “In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of his grace.”

Redemption is defined as the action of saving or being saved from sin, error or evil. It can include deliverance and rescue and may well proclaim atonement for previous errors made. It is often considered a crucial element in many religions including Christianity. Colossians 1:14 reminds us: “In whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins.”

People in life often make mistakes in thoughts, words or deeds. It is a basic concept of humanity. If that did not occur, then we would be considered perfect and perfection can only realistically appertain to God. Life for many can often be considered a merry-go-round. It can be deemed a continuous cycle of wrongdoings followed by rights. We make mistakes, realize our errors and seek forgiveness. Having vindicated ourselves, we pick ourselves up and start over again. We may or may not learn from our mistakes depending on our scruples or personal values.

Forgiveness is only granted through the sanctification of God. Jesus paid the price and valiantly died to save us from our sins and to give us the opportunity to acquire eternal life. Galatians 2:20 confirms: “I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.”

A ship’s stabilizer is defined as fins or rotors mounted beneath the waterline and emerging laterally from the hull to reduce a ship’s roll due to wind or waves in adverse weather conditions.

Many years ago, when ship’s stabilizers were in their infancy, and not fitted to most older vessels, a true story is told of a young man who, on consensual discussions and agreement amongst a few close school friends, decided to remain agnostic in their feelings toward God. He could not be said to be atheistic as such, in fact, the main problem appeared only to be relative doubt, through lack of evidence. However, in beneficence, they did assent to keep an open mind on the subject.

Even though his parents were devout Christians who attended church on a regular basis, they failed in any attempt to encourage a faith during his upbringing. He had always been a self-assured person, who knew his own mind. He consistently declined the opportunity to accompany them to church to learn more. As his parents were fair-minded and just people who believed that for one to be a good Christian, one should always respect another to make an informed choice for themselves and not instill any unwanted pressurization, they did not persist in their endeavors, but preferred to allow him to come to his own individual conclusions in his own time. He never attended a Sunday school or prayed before he went to sleep. He refused to attend any religious activities provided by the school that he attended.

He had always had an ambition to be a ship’s purser when he left school, but despite his choice of career, had never experienced actual travel on the high seas. His late grandfather had previously been a chief engineer serving on a well-known cruise line and had often told him exciting and interesting stories of his time at sea which provoked much interest within him. On a particular day, three of his school friends invited him to join them on a day trip to France. As traveling on ships was his intended vocation in life, he jumped at the opportunity to gain some experience and possibly have a fun day out.

Unfortunately, they had chosen the wrong day for their adventure as there was a force nine gale blowing in the channel. The sea was tempestuous and it wasn’t a good day to travel for anything other than for necessity. The outward journey was acceptable as the tide and wind direction were in their favor. It was a large modern ferry with stabilizers that significantly reduced the adverse motion of the vessel in the rough sea.

However, due to the allotted time difference in France, they managed to miss the intended booked ferry home and were forced to take a later very old ferry without stabilizers which had obviously seen better days and was evidently close to its end of normal serviceable life.

On the homeward journey, everything was against them, the large waves were constantly buffeting against the ship and the wind had steadily increased in strength. The ship rocked violently from side to side and struggled to make headway in the turbulent conditions. Glasses and crockery moved around the tables and counters, often falling off and smashed to the floor through the violent motion of the vessel. The stench of vomit from sea sickness was horrendous and abounded in every location on board.